The Grass is "Greener"... on our side

Images from Rosh Pina TV and Film Fest

Just got back - Here a short compilation. More insights in a bit

 

Technorati Tags: Israel, Rosh Pina, Film, TV, Festival, 2007

iDrink 7...

Was a great success - I estimate over 300 people attended. We had great company presentations and networking. People are finding investors, employees, and brainstorming ideas...

Niv and Ouriel wrote nice impressions, so I won't add much. (Other than the fact that next time we'll definitely arrange for a bigger place!)

 

Technorati Tags: iDrink, idrink 07, Israel, Internet

Gemini at Rosh Pina TV & Film Festival פסטיבל טלוויזיה וקולנוע ראש פינה

Those of you who have been following my blog might remember a year ago I wrote about the great experience I had at the Rosh Pina Film Festival.

The Event is taking place again this weekend (time flies...)

Following the positive experience last year and my funds focus on New Media, Gemini will be sponsoring this year's event. I'm really glad about this, since:

• There is great talent in Israel with knowledge in Media and Consumer - that is applicable for the investments we make in New Media
• This is another first for my fund - we'll be the only VC at the event (I managed to find this one piece in English)
• I had no small part in making this happen ;)

If you are interested in the future of media - or just want a great weekend up north with the "Branja"* (and a us VCs) you should plan to drive up north this weekend.

* Branja = Hebrew slang  for media Celebes

Technorati Tags: Israel, Rosh Pina, Film, TV, Festival, 2007

iDrink Tonight

iDrink #7 Is on tonight.

Our iDrink network has been growing like crazy over the last weeks, and we have nearly 1000 members from the Israeli internet scene.

 

Looks lik it will be a big turnout tonight!

 

Technorati Tags: idrink 7, idrink

The Green Nobel Peace Prize - Al Gore

Al Gore was awarded today with the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize for "his efforts to spread awareness of man-made climate change and lay the foundations for counteracting it".

In my view, another reinforcement of three things (that I've mentioned in this blog previously):

1. 2007 will be the Green Year. More interestingly - I bet that Time's Person of the Year for 2007 will be a Color... Green
2. International public awareness has definitely passed the "green awareness" tipping point. (I mentioned this before... Seems Time supports this as well today)
3. Al Gore (his movie and awareness activities) have a lot to do with the public awareness takeoff.

 

Technorati Tags: Al Gore, Nobel Peace Prize, Greentech, Time Person of the Year, Green

iDrink #7... coming up

For those who attended the previous iDrink events... I'm sure I'll see you there.

For those that haven't yet - its definitely worth the effort. (apart from the event being a great social gathering - I spoke to several people who met people at the event, and eventually this turned into a business / employment opportunity)

 

This time we have two sponsors (see below) so Drinks are free :)

We'll also have a special guest attending...

It takes place 23rd October. For more details join the idrink network

 

 

 

Technorati Tags: iDrink, idrink 7

Israel Greentech - Innovation since the days of Moses

"Greentech" has become a highly discussed topic over the last years. But this is not new to Israel at all.

Given Israel's location on the globe, applying "Green" technologies (and engineering) has in fact always been a survival necessity:

• We have very little water
• A lot of sun...
• And absolutely no oil (in a neighborhood that is very rich with black gold - and will not willingly sell it to us)

 

 

 

In fact, if you go back far enough, you'll find the first Greentech entrepreneur in the Bible - Moses, being able to bring forth water from a rock in the desert... (although he did have a bit of venture help from God)

The Romans brought fascinating engineering capabilities into Israel for the distribution of water (anyone traveling the country will find several water aqueducts and water tunnels)

Today Israel boasts some impressive Greentech "world records":

• Israel is a World leader in waste water reuse  - 75% (!) of total consumption is re-used (second place is Spain with 12%)
• Israel has the worlds largest Desalination plant (located in Ashkelon)
• Ormat and Solel are world leaders in Geothermal, and solar thermal technologies and projects
• Israel boasts some of the top academic Greentech institutions, including BGU, Volcani Center, etc.
• and more...

But I think the real "Greentech" drive is just beginning in Israel:

• Entrepreneurs that have succeeded in "mainstream" tech are starting to take notice of the opportunities, and set up new ventures addressing the Energy and Water sectors
• The VC industries have taken notice - and all are looking to become active (I'm proud to say my fund is not only looking, but has actually already invested)
• Even key Israeli figures have "gone Green" over the last year:
  • Recently Shai Agassi announced he's launching a world leading electric vehicle project in Israel (in fact I hear he's already advancing very nicely with it)
  • Even our president (Shimon Peres) is Going Green (and this Hebrew announcement yesterday)

So it might come as a surprise to some, and not to others... but i can definitely say Israel Greentech holds tremendous potential to build global companies, and bring about significant global  environmental improvements.

More to come...

Green - The color of the year

If I had to bet on what this year (and the coming years) will be colored as, I would place my money on Green. 

As I wrote before - I'm sure the western world has now passed the "tipping point" with regards to "Green awareness".

Israel as well, is no small player with regards to environmental impact.

As a country we definitely have a lot to improve on - But more importantly, I think we have the potential to make a huge positive impact on the global environment - through technology!

In upcoming posts I'll write about the Israeli Green Technology industry, which I believe has huge potential - To improve our environment, to create world leading companies, and to bring great returns to investors.

(As a first step... I've changed my blog color accordingly...)